U.S. and Iran Resume Swiss Nuclear Talks, Create Lebanon De-confliction Cell
U. S. Vice President JD Vance arrived in Switzerland to begin a round of nuclear negotiations with Iranian officials, after earlier postponements linked to Israeli strikes in Lebanon. The New York Times reported that Vance had first delayed his scheduled visit, leaving the timing of the next phase uncertain. NBC News added that the cancellation came amid fresh Israeli attacks in Lebanon, raising concerns about the interim agreement. The Associated Press noted that Iranian officials said talks could not start until Israel halted its strikes, prompting the postponement. Al Jazeera later announced that the negotiations would resume in Burgenstock, Switzerland, with delegations from the United States, Iran, Pakistan and Qatar, as Iran re-imposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz.
The Detroit News said the delegations convened in Switzerland while the IRGC claimed a shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a claim the U. S. military called inaccurate. AP reported that Vance landed and launched a 60-day negotiation sprint with Iranian officials amid regional tensions and oil-market concerns. The New York Times later noted that the talks focused on nuclear issues and a Lebanon cease-fire, with fighting between Israel and Hezbollah threatening the process. Finally, the Seattle Times said the first round concluded with both sides agreeing to create a de-confliction cell to coordinate actions in Lebanon.